Appeal on Marcos case up to SolGen

The Palace on Tuesday disclosed that it will be up to the Solicitor General whether or not it will make an appeal on the Sandiganbayan’s dismissal of the complaint filed by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) against the family of the late strongman Ferdinand E. Marcos which involves alleged P200-billion ill-gotten wealth.

In a statement, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said that they will not preempt whatever move the Solicitor General will make.

“That’s for the SolGen to decide. We will not preempt,” Panelo said. “As we have repeatedly said we never interfere with the decision of the court.”

The spokesman added that Malacanang is concerned on the recent developments in the case but stressed that it will still be up to the courts to decide on it.

“Any government is concerned with the case filed by it against perceived transgressors of the law but it’s the court that always decides whether you have a case against the accused,” Panelo said. “From what I gathered, not this case but the last one, it was dismissed because the original documents were not presented.”

When asked if due process was exercised with regards to the case, Panelo said the court will always decide on the basis of evidence.

“We always consider that all courts will observe due process because that is precisely what the Constitution tells everyone,” said Panelo.

To recall, the anti-graft court’s Fourth Division by Associate Justice Alex Quiroz ruled to dismiss the 33-year old case that seeks the reversion, re-conveyance, restitution and accounting of supposed ill-gotten wealth as well as damages.

“For failure of the plaintiff to prove its allegations by preponderance of evidence, the subject complaint filed against defendants Estate of Ferdinand E. Marcos,Imelda R. Marcos, Imelda R. Marcos Manotoc, Irene R. Marcos Araneta, Ferdinand E. Marcos jr. and Constantino Rubio is hereby dismissed,” the court said.